Veterans remember during ceremony at National Cemetery

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Hundreds of patriotic Americans gathered at Wilmington’s National Cemetery today. It was in part a chance to mourn and a time to honor veterans and active service members.

‘Never ever forget what they have done for this nation,” Vietnam veteran Bill Ebersbach. “Some of them gave everything. That’s what these people are. These are my comrades. They went before. We’ll preserve that forever.”

The Veterans Day Remembrance Ceremony was an emotional and moving event for all in attendance. Veterans like Ebersbach visited with students from Wilmington Christian Academy sharing their stories.

Ebersbach spent 10 years in the Marines and was wounded in Vietnam. He says he wants current service members to be better received than he was.

“The feelings of the country at that time were very anti-military, they were very anti-war,” he said. “The idea of the returning serviceman was not an honor at that point and since that time it has been the mission of those men and women that came home from Vietnam to make sure that that attitude never ever prevails again. We will remember our fallen, and our servicemen from today.”

Also on hand were members of the American Star Mothers. The group consists of those who have lost a child serving in the military, like Vivian Scharver. Her son died while serving in Granada.

“The importance of honoring veterans is so you never forget,” Scharver said. “After all, they died and are serving for us so we can stand here and be free. Every day we should thank a veteran.”

Marines from Camp Lejeune were there to present the colors and end the ceremony will a rifle volley.